The MERCEDES-BENZ A CLASS (1998-04) A160 5DR HATCHBACK 1.6 ELEGANCE AUTO is a compact five-door hatchback, offering Mercedes-Benz comfort in a practical size. It sits between a small city car and a family hatchback in the UK used-car market, with an automatic gearbox making everyday driving straightforward, especially in traffic and around town. Mycarcheck.com has recorded 42 look-ups covering 31 different VINs, giving a useful snapshot of cars being checked. The average private-sale valuation was £500, with an average recorded mileage of 72,000 miles and annual use of 3,000 miles. Checked examples had nearly four previous keepers on average, so reviewing each car’s history is worthwhile. Its tall shape and roomy cabin feel distinctive and make entry easy. It suits commuters, couples and small families wanting a premium-feeling, easy-to-park car. Compared with the Polo, it stands out for its upright design; carefully check condition and history on older, higher-mileage examples.